33315546-Tarot-Eileen-Connolly

VOLUME I OF THE C O N N O L L Y TAROT CLASSIC EDITION

A NEW HANDBOOK FOR THE APPRENTICE EILEEN CONNOLLY

ORIGINAL CLASSIC EDITION Illustrated with the RIDER-WAITE TAROT DECK

NEWCASTLE PUBLISHING COMPANY INC NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA

Copyright © 1979 by Eileen Connolly* All rights reserved. ISBN 0-R7S77-CM5-3

No pari of this book may be reproduced In any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in connection with a review. Edited by Douglas MenviUc and Alyce TulipsIllustrations from the Kid*r-Waile Tarot deck are reproduced by permission ofU.S. Games Systems, Inc.,4*8 Park Ave. South, New York, NY 10016* The interpretations of the Tarot presented in this volume have been developed over many years of research, study and teaching by the author. This material may be used for class teaching, provided written permission is granted by the author, Eileen Connolly, All letters of inquiry should be addressed to the author, in care of the publisher.

FIRST EDmON A NEWCASTLE BOOK First Printing October 1979

Printed in the United State* of Amenta

PREFACE The object erf this Handbook is to offer not only a spiritual apprenticeship to students of the Sacred Tarot but to offer a concise reference for anyone interested in investigating and Interpreting the fascinating symbology or the Tarot in relation to the Cabala, Astrology and theesotericMeriteof Kum«doKy* T*1* Handbookis divided into three sections: Section 1

Basic lessons, exercises, procedures, meditations and fundamental esoteric philosophy relating to the Major and Minor Arcana.

Section 2 Major and Minor Mentors, which a r t guides lo the positive and negative interpretations of the symbols on each card. Further Mentor guidelines include a Comparison Chart and an in-depth explanation of meanings when certain symbols fall near each other in a spread. Section 3 Procedures necessary prior to spreading the cards lor divination. My intention is to teach you as simply as possible how to »vork with and understand the Tarot cards, and not to attempt at this stage to fill your mind with too much unnecessary detail. I would like you to feel that I am teaching you perionally. so that the Handbook becomes not only a source of learning but a friend you can relate to on a very perninal level During my years of teaching the estihW science*.! have found that people usually want to "get on with it" as soon aft possible, solintendtopresentcherudimenw of this ancient art to you right away, ltis important for the beginner to become Involved with the symbol ogy of the Tarotdecfcimmediately; onceyouarefamiliar with the cards and feel able to master the basic procedures, your enthusiasm will be aroused and you will be motivated to learn all you ran. It is at this point that the real adventure of Tarot begins. Whatever your purpose in studying the Tarot may be, this Handbook will piovide you with a continual ready reference* It contains both method and procedure for learning the art of divination. Bv using the Major and Minor Mentor guide**, you will be able to locate CahalUtk, Astrological and Numerological references at a glance* Each individual subject is treated in such a way as to enable yuu to quickly discover and explore whatever aspect of the Tarot you desire. Eileen Connolly Santa Barbara, California December, 1978

v

CONTENTS Preface List of List of Exercises Author's Note Introduction A Note on Procedure

Charts

v viii ix x

1 3

SECTION I Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4

Beginning Your Apprenticeship Learning the Minor Arcana Learning the Court Cards Learning the Major Arcana

SECTION n Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9

Understanding the Minor Mentors Understanding the Minor Mentors The Minor Mentors The Court Mentors The Major Mentors

61 71 77 145 163

Steps to Divination How to Read the Cards The Esoteric Time Cards Beginning and End Index of Cards

211 219 233 243 244

SECTION III Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

7 17 29 39

vii

LIST O F C H A R T S

Chart Chart Chart Chart Chart Chart Chart Chart Chart Chart

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Daily Record Book Minor Sequence Table

19

Thought Track

25

Tarot Log

56

Cabalastic Reference —Major Arcana

73 74

The Tree of Life Lemniscate for Divination Celtic Cross Spread

220

Celtic Block Spread Predictive Manteia Spread

226

Chart 11 Time Chart

viii

13

223 230 236

LIST OF EXERCISES

Exercise

I

Esoteric Approach to Suit Keys

21

Exercise 2 Random Selection of Suit Keys

22

Exercise 3 Esoteric Approach to the Aces

23

Exercise 4 Thought Track

26

Fxercise 5 Synthesizing the Seed with the Suit Key

26

Exercise 6 Sensitivity Key to Court Cards

30

Exercise 7 Court Cards on the Thought Track

36

Exercise 8 Daily Prayer with the Major Arcana

40

Exercise 9 The Spiritual Path of the Major Arcana

50

Exercise 10 Entering the Major Arcana

57

Exercise 11 Analysis of the Celtic Cross

223

be

AUTHOR'S NOTE Many of my previous students will immediately realize that here is a higher esoteric interpretation for each Tarot symbol, as promised* I sincerely hope that their spiritual vision may be enhanced and that ihese lessons will give even greater satisfaction than the preliminary lessons of the past.

x

INTRODUCTION GNOTHI S E A U T O N = K N O W THYSELF

It has been said that the Tarot cards contain the secrets of the universe. It is only through the discovery of your own hidden depths that you may explore the Higher Spiritual Self and begin to learn these secrets. When you allow sensitivity of the soul to open the door, the ancient symbols of the Tarot will reveal their mysteries to you* The befit way to commence your studies is to work to discard inner conflicts and impatience. A new student can easily become confused and discouraged trying to absorb the varied interpretations and sometimes conflicting theories of the Tarot's origin and history* The reason for these apparent contradictions is that each Tarot Master has expressed personal conclusions, based on his own experience and study, independent of other opinions- It is advisable, therefore, to approach the Tarot with an open mind- Once you have experienced the fascinating accuracy of divination and have learned how to read theancient symbols with sensitivity, you will be ready for in-depth study. Until then, be content to learn at your own pace and enjoy the awakening of your own psychic abilities as you take your journey as an apprentice down the Royal Road of Tarot. Behind the intriguing disguise of the Tarot deck is the entrance to an astonishing dimension of occult wisdom. Throughout the ages, simple uncluttered souls have been able to enjoy the benefits of hidden wisdom naturally and easily, perhaps because they could readily accept God's laws and had respect for the eternal soul of man- Children can often let go and wander at will in the higher realms. Perhaps many of us today are too bogged down with a "prove it" kind of attitude, thus making us totally unprepared to receive the guidance of our Higher Self. Intuition, an absolutely natural sense, is slowly becoming extinct from lack of use. Until we learn again to trust our own inner feelings, we will be forced to live in the limitations of practical thought, which does not allow us to expand our consciousness beyond everyday affairs.

2 TAROT Whenever we attempt to approach our Higher Self by using our powers of reason and intellect, we always arrive at a point of utter confusion and frustration. Wecan go to great lengths to find reasons tor this dilemma, we can philosophize with each other, but we always arrive at the same conclusion eventually. The dilemma will be solved once we realize that the key to self knowledge is pure simplicity. We must relax not only the body, but the busy mind, letting go of everyday problems and concerns, allowing the higher vibrations to flow through our mind and body. Unfortunately, when we do have an opportunity to unwind and make contact with our Higher Self, we often try to wrestle with our problems on a conscious level, striving to manipulate and solve them completely on our own* With the right attitude, we can rise to the Higher Consciousness and achieve a level of peace, balance and harmony, wherein the solutions to our problems will come to us naturally and our anxieties will be overcome. With practice, you can achieve this state of mind at will, like other students before you. But you mayfe^l that you have tried this before, thatit doesn't work for you. If so, you probably haven't tried long enough or hard enough, orunder theright conditions. Choose a time when you are not too tired, for instance. When you are physically or mentally exhausted, you are apt to allow your mind to drift backwards and forwards over the day's activities and eventually fall asleep amidst thi. inner whirlpool. This results in your waking up so tired that you feel you haven't been to sleep at all. When you are not tired, you can achieve the physical and mental relaxation which is a prerequisite to probing the higher realms of consciousness, and can exert direction and wilt toward this endeavor. Approach it as you would any other activity intended to give you pleasure. Be alert and ready to tackle whatever lies ahead* Be objective and use the exercises in this Handbook as you would any educational instruction. This attitude will help you speed your goal of inner realization, a goal which should be that of all men: Cttothi seauton—Know thyself.

A N O T E ON P R O C E D U R E

What Do You Do w i t h Tarot Cards? This question is simple and direct, but I'm afraid the answer is more complex. To avoid getting into areas of philosophy not relevant to our early studies, 1 will attempt an answer within the context of this Handbook. Tarot cards can be used for: 1. Divination, either for self reading or for another person* 2. Self guidance 3* Meditation 4. Spiritual development 5. Cabalistic studies. The apprentice should read the entire Handbook through once; then start at tfie beginning and pursue all the exercises at his or her own pace. For the more experienced student there are interesting exercises and theories relating the Tarot to the Cabala, Astrology and Gnothology, or esoteric Numerology. It is my sincere hope that the reader will spend many happy and constructive hours with ttiis Handbook* It has been prepared so that it may be continually used throughout thecourse of study for referenceand practice.

" Divination may be defined as obtaining knowledge oi the unknown or of the future

SECTION I

CHAPTER 1 BEGINNING YOUR APPRENTICESHIP

It is not my intention to delve atgrfcat length into the history of the Tarot, nor offer my own theories regarding its origin. This has been done by other authors and teachers, who have produced many excellent works for the student interested in these areas- My purpose in writing this Handbook is 10 help you understand Ihe ancient symbology of the Tarot and to appreciate the esoteric beauty and wisdom of this anciwit art. We will begin vvith the pictures portrayed on the cards* Inyoursearch for the proper deck of Tarot cards, you will notice that there are many variations in design. Allof them represent the same thing—the esoteric symbology that has come down to us from antiquity. It is not the picture itself that should interest you so much as the symbolic philosophy behind the picture and how the picture affects you personallyEach of the Tarot decks h a s come from different avenues of thought embracing other metaphysical sciences- Each has been influenced by the suurceand principles of the particular knowledge from which it is derived. Yet all of their roots coalesce lo offer personal guidance and direction from the higher levels of consciousness- Each of the artists has portrayed hi* or her own interpretation of the spiritual force. The form and nature of the Tarot symbols are still secrets known fully only to highly developed souls- As an initiate of the higher orders, you must be strict with yourself in moral, ethical and spiritual codes. You *houd study and understand the sciences of the Cabala, Astrology and Numerology. When you reach the dawn of understanding, you will be able to use your own personal tools to CTeate your own spiritual masterpiece. Until that time arrives, be patient and learn the fundamentals that will enable you to develop the skills of a Tarot Master. Once you are conversant with the Tarot and its symbols and are able to relate its occult wisdom to yuur own life, you may find that th